Taliban say they have identified nearly 600 mining sites across Panjshir province, highlighting what they describe as the region’s significant mineral wealth.
In a statement, the office of the Taliban governor of Panjshir said the sites contain 17 types of minerals and precious and semi-precious stones, including emeralds, gold and turquoise.
The statement added that about 15,000 people are currently employed in mining and mineral-processing activities in the province.
According to the statement, 19,846 carats of emeralds worth more than $424,000 have been sold in Panjshir since the start of the current solar year.
Panjshir is home to some of Afghanistan’s most valuable emerald deposits, and gemstone extraction has become an increasingly important source of income in the province in recent years.
The announcement comes as the Taliban continue to promote Afghanistan’s mining sector as a key source of revenue and economic growth following their return to power in 2021.
However, the management of Afghanistan’s mineral resources has long been the subject of scrutiny. International organizations and watchdog groups have repeatedly raised concerns about transparency in the awarding of mining contracts and the use of mining revenues.
Critics of the Taliban have also argued that many mining contracts have been awarded to companies or individuals with ties to the Taliban, while local communities receive limited benefits from the sector.
Taliban reject those allegations and say mining operations are conducted in accordance with national regulations and that revenues are used to support public services and development projects.
Economists say Afghanistan’s vast mineral reserves could play a major role in the country’s economic development if managed transparently and sustainably, creating jobs and generating much-needed revenue for the country’s struggling economy.
